MacOS Pictures folder: Cannot start log stream: Backend is not connected.

[turnkit]

When I start using MacOS Pictures folder I get "Cannot start log stream: Backend is not connected."

[Brax84]

Same problem, test .dmg and Brew install

Mac mini M4
MacOS Tahoe 26.2 (25C56)

Tested v2.2.1 and v2.2.0

Terminal error

ast login: Mon Jan 19 17:50:44 on ttys000
brax@Mini-di-brax ~ % /Applications/Local\ Lens.app/Contents/MacOS/LocalLens ; exit;
Starting backend as sidecar (Release: true, Force: false)
Attempting to spawn sidecar...
Sidecar spawned successfully!
Backend stderr: PyInstaller/loader/pyimod02_importers.py:384: UserWarning: pkg_resources is deprecated as an API. See https://setuptools.pypa.io/en/latest/pkg_resources.html. The pkg_resources package is slated for removal as early as 2025-11-30. Refrain from using this package or pin to Setuptools<81.

Backend stderr: Traceback (most recent call last):

Backend stderr:   File "numpy/_core/__init__.py", line 22, in <module>

Backend stderr:   File "PyInstaller/loader/pyimod02_importers.py", line 384, in exec_module

Backend stderr:   File "numpy/_core/multiarray.py", line 11, in <module>

Backend stderr: ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'numpy._core._exceptions'

Backend stderr: 

Backend stderr: The above exception was the direct cause of the following exception:

Backend stderr: 

Backend stderr: Traceback (most recent call last):

Backend stderr:   File "main.py", line 84, in <module>

Backend stderr:   File "PyInstaller/loader/pyimod02_importers.py", line 384, in exec_module

Backend stderr:   File "organizer_logic.py", line 20, in <module>

Backend stderr:   File "PyInstaller/loader/pyimod02_importers.py", line 384, in exec_module

Backend stderr:   File "numpy/__init__.py", line 112, in <module>

Backend stderr:   File "PyInstaller/loader/pyimod02_importers.py", line 384, in exec_module

Backend stderr:   File "numpy/__config__.py", line 4, in <module>

Backend stderr:   File "PyInstaller/loader/pyimod02_importers.py", line 384, in exec_module

Backend stderr:   File "numpy/_core/__init__.py", line 83, in <module>

Backend stderr: ImportError: 

Backend stderr: 

Backend stderr: IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ THIS FOR ADVICE ON HOW TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE!

Backend stderr: 

Backend stderr: Importing the numpy C-extensions failed. This error can happen for

Backend stderr: many reasons, often due to issues with your setup or how NumPy was

Backend stderr: installed.

Backend stderr: 

Backend stderr: We have compiled some common reasons and troubleshooting tips at:

Backend stderr: 

Backend stderr:     https://numpy.org/devdocs/user/troubleshooting-importerror.html

Backend stderr: 

Backend stderr: Please note and check the following:

Backend stderr: 

Backend stderr:   * The Python version is: Python 3.11 from "/Applications/Local Lens.app/Contents/Resources/backend_server_bundle/backend_server"

Backend stderr:   * The NumPy version is: "2.4.0"

Backend stderr: 

Backend stderr: and make sure that they are the versions you expect.

Backend stderr: 

Backend stderr: Please carefully study the information and documentation linked above.

Backend stderr: This is unlikely to be a NumPy issue but will be caused by a bad install

Backend stderr: or environment on your machine.

Backend stderr: 

Backend stderr: Original error was: No module named 'numpy._core._exceptions'

Backend stderr: 

Backend stderr: [PYI-4697:ERROR] Failed to execute script 'main' due to unhandled exception!

Backend terminated with code: Some(1), signal: None

[ricardopsantos]

Same error here. ChatGPT "helper" report (after some debuging using it)

---

🐛 Bug: Backend crashes on macOS ARM (M4) — NumPy C-extension import failure

Describe the bug

On macOS (Apple Silicon M4), Local Lens launches the UI successfully, but the backend fails to start. Any action requiring the backend (e.g., batch enrollment) results in:

Cannot start log stream: Backend is not connected.
Enrollment request failed: API call to /api/add-person failed: Backend is not ready.

Running the backend manually reveals a NumPy C-extension import failure.

---

💻 Environment

• macOS: 15.7.2 (arm64)
• Hardware: Apple M4
• Rosetta: Not installed (native ARM)
• Homebrew: ARM (/opt/homebrew)
• Installed via: DMG (from latest release)

Homebrew config confirms ARM-native environment:

HOMEBREW_PREFIX: /opt/homebrew
CPU: deca-core 64-bit arm_donan
macOS: 15.7.2-arm64
Rosetta 2: false

---

🔬 Backend Crash Output

Running manually:

cd "/Applications/Local Lens.app/Contents/MacOS"
./backend_server

Produces:

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'numpy._core._exceptions'

ImportError:

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ THIS FOR ADVICE ON HOW TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE!

Importing the numpy C-extensions failed.

Python version: 3.11 (bundled)
NumPy version: 2.4.0

Original error was:
No module named 'numpy._core._exceptions'

[PYI-XXXXX:ERROR] Failed to execute script 'main' due to unhandled exception!

---

📌 Observations

• The backend binary exists (backend_server)
• The crash happens immediately on startup
• This appears to be a PyInstaller packaging issue with NumPy 2.x
• Likely missing collected submodules (e.g., numpy._core._exceptions)
• Not a system dependency issue (ARM Homebrew, CLT, etc. are correctly installed)

---

🎯 Suspected Cause

NumPy 2.x internal structure changes + PyInstaller not properly bundling C-extensions or hidden imports.

Potential fixes:

• Pin numpy<2.0
• Add hiddenimports=['numpy._core._exceptions']
• Use collect_submodules("numpy") in spec file
• Rebuild backend bundle for macOS ARM

---

✅ Expected Behavior

Backend should start successfully and expose FastAPI server.

❌ Actual Behavior

Backend crashes immediately due to NumPy import failure.

[ashesbloom]

Issue Update

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We have investigated the issue and are currently working on a fix.

We expect to have this resolved by the first or second week of March. We will post further updates here as we progress.